Dr. Patti Flint is a paid sponsor of Sonoran Living Live
WHAT'S NEW IN MOMMY MAKEOVERS
One of the most gratifying procedures I do is a mommy makeover. The patient satisfaction with the results of mommy makeovers is extremely high. Let's face it, when diet and exercise do not allow you to obtain your pre-childbearing form back, it can be a bit depressing. Consequently it is no surprise that after these procedures I frequently hear, "I got my body back and my confidence has never been better!"
So what is a mommy makeover? That term can mean different things to different people, but I am not talking about a new hairstyle or make-up. In my world, the term generally refers to some combination of cosmetic breast surgery (augmentation, lift or a combination) and trunk contouring including a tummy tuck and or liposuction. A thorough examination by an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon is in order to guide you in the selection of procedures that will accomplish your goals.
Because the vast majority of women seeking these procedures have young children at home, the question of timing is a big one. No lifting of more than five pounds is allowed for six weeks, so women with children under the age of three will need help caring for their children during this time. Most patients can drive at a week and can return to work within two weeks.
Good candidates for combination procedures are healthy people who are non-smokers and within twenty pounds of ideal body weight. Smokers and obese patients have higher rates of post-operative blood clots that can be quite serious. Not only do these qualifications reduce risk, they lead to better cosmetic results. In the vast majority of patients these procedures can be performed safely in one setting. In my practice, all procedures are performed in a surgicenter on the campus of a major hospital with a board certified anesthesiologist in attendance. A one night stay in the recovery care center is also required. For those of you that had to put off pursuing these procedures due to work or childcare responsibilities, you will be happy to hear that a recent study of cosmetic surgery patients showed the complication rates were under two percent for all age groups, up to age eighty!
The most exciting news on the mommy makeover front is a new scar reduction product called Embrace that I believe is going to dramatically reduce visibility of scarring from breast and abdominal surgery. It is an adhesive silicone gel sheet bandage that is worn over the scar for eight weeks following the procedure. It is thin and pliable and easy to wear under clothing. Once more patients have experience with this new product, I think the fear of unsightly scarring will be dramatically reduced.
While a healthy diet and exercise are very important to overall well-being, there are certain things that happen to our bodies after child-bearing that cannot be corrected with these regimens. You can't do it all by yourself! I am here to help.
Patti Flint MD PC
Old Town Scottsdale and Mesa, AZ
480-945-3300
www.pattiflintmd.com
Dr. Patti Flint is a paid sponsor of Sonoran Living Live
